Connecting-rod



(Np'Model.) l 2 sheenwsneet 1'.

' H'. H. MEYER.

. l GONNEGTING R011 No. 36% i Patented June '7, 1887.

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H.H.`MBYER. GONNBGTING ROD'.

No. 364,536. 'PgtemdJune 7, 1887.

UNITED' STATES,

PATENT QEEICE.

HERMAN H. MEYER, on DAVENPORT, IOWA.

CONNECTING-ROD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 364,536, dated .Tune 7,1887.

Application filed March 3D, i887.

Serial No. 233,045.v (No model.)

T0 all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that l, HERMAN H. MEYER, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Davcn port,in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, haveinvented newand useful vImprovements in Connecting-Rods rforSteam-Engines, Ste., of which the following`is a specification.

My invention lrelates to connecting-rods for machinery generally, andparticularly for steam-engines which have adjustable boxes.

The improvement consists in having interposed between the adjustablesection of the box and the connecting-rod an interlocking key and wedge,the latter being of a width equal to the thickness of the rod, nearly asdeep as the box, and having a tongue or pro jection depending fromthe-lower edge and extending the remaining distance, so that the sum ofthe wedge and projection is equal in` length to the depth of the box.The key is recessed, and the wedge is adapted to tit inv said recess insuch manner that a portion of the key overlaps the wedge at each end,and a movement thereof el'ects a corresponding movement of the wedge.The parts are so disposed that the wedge bears with its whole frontsurface against the box, and with its rear i surface partly against theconnecting-rod and partly against the key. In other words, the wedgehasan equal bearing on its front and rear sides, which will more fullyhereinafter appear from the description and drawings, in Which- 4 Figurel represents in sectional side View the two ends of a connecting-rod,the boxes of each end having Iny improved key and wedge fastening asused with what is known as a solid and a strap7 rod. Fig. 2 showsin sideview 'on the line y y of Fig. 5, showing the Wedge in place. Fig. 7showsthe key in side view; Fig. 8, the wedge in side and fjace view, andFig. 9 the wedge and key as they are placed when fastened in the rodupon the box.

Hereiofore the box has been adjusted by a key which isA driven up byset-screws. In such use of the key the box, which is of soft metal, iscrushed in, and often forced out of shape by the great pressure exertedagainst it through the piston of the engine on account of the narrowsurface of the key in Contact with and bearing against the box. It thenbecomes necessary to put in either a liner between the box and key, orthe box must be renewed, and in ease that a steel plate is used betweenthe boxV and key one or the other will get crushed in, whicheverisinadeof the softest metal. It' the key is dented, it becomes useless,as it cannot be driven up or down. It a wedge only is used, setsercws orbolts are necessary for adjusting it, which bolts cannot be adjustedwhile the engine is in motion, which is frequently required. A key canbe moved while the engine is in motion or at rest, andthe keyadjustnient is in this respect far preferable to all other modes andmeans-ofadjustment for the lboxes of a pitman or connectingrod.

The connecting -rod A may have either a solid end, provided with theusual opening, C, for the reception of the boxes, or the strap B securedthereto by-sutable bolts for securing and holding the boxes. Theadjustable section of the box c may be located at either end of theopening, and has its straight side inclined. The wedge D, placed againstthe box, is equal in width to the width of the connecting rod or strap,and in length to nearly-the depth of the box, but sufficiently short topermit an adjustment. The projection d, extended from the lower edge ofthe wedge, is of a width equal to the thickness of the key, so as Itoenter the opening b, Figs. 4 and 6, in the lower side of the rod orstrap. The combined length of the wedge and projection is equal to thedepth of the box, so it can be slipped in sidewise behind the box.

The key E is of ordinary length, to project above and below the rod, andis provided with the recess e, of a length equal to the depth ofthe box,or thc combined length ofthe wedge .and projection, and of a depth'equalto the thickness of the wedge, so that the wedge will come flush withthe key when fitted in the recess, and both bear against the box whenadjustment tak es place. Thekey-passes through IOO ICJ

openings b and b in the strap, and is seated in a groove, f, in the rod,which groove is of a depth equal to the Width of that portion of thekey,E,directly opposite to the recess, so that when the key is seated inthe groove the portion E will come flush with the end of the rod againstWhich the wedge rests.

In practice the end of the box'niay or may not be llanged, as desired,and the wedge is fitted against the end of the box, preferably byslipping it in sidewise, and the key which is tted in the groove freceives the wedge in its recess. The whole front surface ofthe wedgebears against the boX, and the rear surface rests against the end of therod on cach side of the groove and that portion E of the key, as seen inFig. 5.

In the event of the bearing becoming worn, the box can be adjusted bydriving upon the key, which, interlocking with the wedge, carries itdown with it and forces the box up, so as to take up the wear. Theprojection d of the Wedge enters the opening b and forms a guide for thewedge, and holds the wedge in position in case the box has not endflanges.

I claim- 1. The eqmbination, with the rod having a groove and theadjustable bearing, of the recessed key fitted in the groove, and thewedge seated in the recess of the key and interposed between the rodandthe bearing, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the rod and the adjustable bearing, of thewedge interposed between the rod and bearing, and having a projectionextended from its lower edge, and the recessed key, substantially as setforth.

3. The combination ofthe rod', the adj ustable bearing, the key, and thewedge interloeked with the key and of a width equal to the width of saidrod, and having an equal bearingsnrface on its front and rear sides,substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whercofl havehercunto set my hand in the presence of tivosubscribing witncsscs.

HP1-RM AN H. MEYER.

XVitnesscs:

CARL E. SCHLEGEL, G Us'r. Sonnnenr..

